HCR Law has today (Thursday, 5th December) published its annual report, ‘Audit of Carbon Emissions and Decarbonisation Strategy’. Now in its third year, the report outlines the firm’s progress towards achieving its goal of becoming a Net Zero business by 2040.
In the 2024 reporting period, HCR’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions have been rewarded. The firm recorded a 6% decrease in emissions over the past 12 months, with emissions per employee reducing by 34% since the baseline figures were recorded in 2020.
Throughout 2024, HCR has implemented several carbon reduction initiatives. These included major office refurbishments guided by sustainability principles, as well as an electric vehicle leasing scheme available to all staff members.
Philip Parkinson, Partner and Project Sponsor for HCR Law’s journey to Net Zero commented: “HCR Law takes its commitment to the planet seriously. With roots dating back to 1796, we are dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for the generations to come. We act for leading businesses across England and Wales, delivering market-leading legal services. We believe this responsibility extends to taking a prominent approach to implementing sustainable practices within our operations. Achieving Net Zero won’t be straightforward, but we remain committed to investing and implementing the necessary changes to address one of society’s greatest challenges.”
A key metric in the annual report is the carbon intensity figure, measured by carbon dioxide emissions per million pounds of turnover. Against a backdrop of business growth, HCR recorded a 25% year-on-year reduction in carbon intensity.
Will Dennis, Senior Sustainability Consultant at Go Green Experts, added: “”At Go Green Experts, we specialise in providing hands-on support to organisations on their journey to Net Zero, implementing practical carbon reduction projects that make real change happen. Since 2020, we’ve been proud to partner with HCR Law, assisting them with tailored decarbonisation strategies and on-the-ground initiatives. The 2024 report highlights the significant strides they’re making, not just in setting ambitious goals but in taking concrete actions to achieve them. HCR Law is truly ‘walking the walk,’ embracing sustainability at every level of their operations.”
In 2022, HCR set an ambitious target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 72% by 2032. The latest data indicates that the firm remains on track to meet this goal.
All data has been independently recorded and verified by Go Green Experts, who have supported HCR Law since 2020, establishing baseline carbon emissions and delivering annual reporting. The full report is available: https://www.hcrlaw.com/our-commitment-to-net-zero/